Anyone who wishes to spend any length of time sitting beside a pool or on an outdoor patio wants the experience to be relaxing. However, moving heavy sunshades and continuously adjusting them to the sun’s position usually proves to be quite the opposite. Cantilever sunshades are an alternative with much less hassle. They provide more shade and can be adjusted to the sun’s position more effectively because they have a cantilevered arm rather than a central pole and base. However, due to their size and weight, cantilever sunshades can also be a little daunting to operate – especially when they have to be adjusted or stabilised in windy conditions. Extensive studies were carried out to identify how people of different ages, nationalities and statures use sunshades before the Novara Cantilever was developed. It was found that taller, stronger people usually adjust the sunshades from the back using their upper body strength, while smaller individuals tend to adjust them from the side, using both hands and their lower body strength. To accommodate both approaches, a system with a handle at the front was developed for the Novara Cantilever that encourages an intuitive upward movement, similar to using a dumbbell. Horizontal tilt is adjusted by turning the conical grip on the arm, which is designed to be easy to operate for older users. The stability of large sunshades depends to some extent on wind conditions, but they are generally sold without a base, so the wind factor is something that the buyer has to consider post-purchase. A dedicated base was designed for the Novara Cantilever that is precisely geared to the dimensions of the canopy and perfectly matches the other elements. It is also shipped in the same box as the umbrella to save costs and resources. The sunshade is remarkably sustainable, since it is mainly produced from recycled materials. The jury praised the timelessness of the design and its consistent orientation to consumer needs. Thanks to these qualities, the Novara Cantilever is destined to be a product that is used and enjoyed throughout its long lifespan. The developers call it “emotional longevity”.
